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All of these cities are relatively close to Appalachia, even though most of them are not technically in Appalachia. Out of the cities in the poll, which one feels the most Appalachian-influenced?
I would add Knoxville, Chattanooga, Asheville, Pittsburgh, Roanoke, Huntsville and Charleston, WV to the mix.
Out of the choices provided, I went with Birmingham.
I think the #1 answer would be Charleston, WV, but it is a small city.
Nashville might seem like "a popular option" but not really today, since it is booming in many sectors not seen in Appalachia (tech, entertainment, financial, etc).
Tough to choose. I think I'd have to have more context of the definition of "Appalachia," as it relates to a city.
To me, it means slower growth, almost stagnant, and a quieter slow paced city that embraces the regional economy and influence.
No Knoxville? Pittsburgh? Asheville? I would pick none of the cities listed.
I removed those from the poll because they would have been the clear winners, as they're all clearly in Appalachia.
For this thread, I want to focus on cities along the periphery of Appalachia. Cities like Winston-Salem, which is in the North Carolina Piedmont but close to the Blue Ridge. Or Lexington, which is in Bluegrass Kentucky but very close to the Appalachian coal country of eastern Kentucky.
While Lexington has little resemblance to Appalachia in its natural setting or built environment, it is the closest sizable, prosperous metro area to a large number of rural counties. As a result many Appalachian people have relocated to Lexington for better job opportunities, and many others commute into the area for health care, shopping and other purposes.
The other metro areas in the poll are a bit more removed from Appalachia geographically, and have larger populations so the Appalachian regional influence is likely less on a per capita basis. I can attest that in the case of Atlanta, there are several other influences that have a more dominant presence than Appalachian.
While Lexington has little resemblance to Appalachia in its natural setting or built environment, it is the closest sizable, prosperous metro area to a large number of rural counties. As a result many Appalachian people have relocated to Lexington for better job opportunities, and many others commute into the area for health care, shopping and other purposes.
The other metro areas in the poll are a bit more removed from Appalachia geographically, and have larger populations so the Appalachian regional influence is likely less on a per capita basis. I can attest that in the case of Atlanta, there are several other influences that have a more dominant presence than Appalachian.
Being in Lexington pretty regularly I can tell you it doesn't have much of an Appalachian feel at all. It's growth is largely people with education transplanting for the university, or a related STEM job. It's core feels more polished/cosmopolitan like a slightly larger corporate city vs. a typical college town. If it is attracting a decent amount of residents from Eastern Kentucky they aren't having a strong impact on it culturally. It feels like a smaller New South city if anything.
The other metro areas in the poll are a bit more removed from Appalachia geographically, and have larger populations so the Appalachian regional influence is likely less on a per capita basis. I can attest that in the case of Atlanta, there are several other influences that have a more dominant presence than Appalachian.
Cincinnati, while not in Appalachia, is only several miles away from Appalachia. Cincinnati is right next to Clermont county, which is in Appalachia.
That said, I think I'll go with Cincinnati on this one.
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